Tim Dobson's Blog

Today, whilst on my way to college, I noticed a film crew set up on Marple high street.
Being in no rush, I got out and had a look, apparently a BBC Comedy Drama called "Sunshine", due to be aired in the autumn was being filmed.
I found it interesting to see they had one camera on tracks for moving shots while another one on a stationary tripod further up the road.
They seemed to be pretty much exclusivly filming people crossing the road and getting into cars etc.
Because I have my camera on me I started to take some photos and then a short video.
At which point a crew member in a yellow jacket walked over and asked me if I was taking a video or part of the press.
I am not working for any newspaper or radio etc at this time, nor am I a member of the NUJ. I was not either filiming at that point in time...
However, what would have happened if I had responded positivly to one or both of those questions?
Would he have tried to stop me being there? Attempted to confiscate my camera? Tried to make me delete things?
I am considering joing the NUJ, on the grounds that it might be safer, in situations like these.
At the time I was carrying the UK rights of a photographer on my person, something that I may have been glad of, and is well worth a read.
UK law doesn't really let them do much to someone taking photos (considering they were filming in a public place), yet obviously it is something they don't like for some reason.
Surely the added publicity for "Sunshine" is good?

Photos:

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News articles about "Sunshine":
Guardian
How do
BBC
Stockport Express
Digital Spy